Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process? Justify your answer.

Many governments, especially those in the developing world, do not have access to enough resources to enable them to do what is expected and required of them, by their citizens. Governments have therefore to find ways of getting additional resources, and one such way is to turn to donors.

Increasing Dependence on Donor agencies:

• USAID is working with India to implement ambitious emissions reduction measures, protect critical ecosystems, transition to renewable energy. 
• Since 2003, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has invested more than US$1.2 billion in projects aimed at improving public health and development outcomes in India. 
• In 2021, ADB committed a record $4.6 billion in sovereign loans to India. ADB also committed $36.51 million in technical assistance and $3 million in grants under the sovereign portfolio.

Doesn’t reduce the Community Participation as evident in:

Health care: Rogi kalyan samiti for governance in district hospital. 

Water Management: Pani Panchayat is a voluntary activity of a group of farmers engaged in the collective management (harvesting and distribution) of surface water and groundwater (wells and percolation tanks). 

Education: Bihar Vidyalaya Shiksha Act of 2000 provides for the election of Vidyalaya Shiksha Samiti. VSS roles are for supervision of civil works, oversee financial transaction, organise campaigns to enrol out of school children and girls.

Service delivery: The Nagaland Communitisation of Public Institutions and Services Act, 2002 provide for empowerment of the community and delegation of the powers and functions of the State Government to the Iocal authorities by way of participation of the Community in matters connected with the management of local publi cutilities. 

Disaster Management: NDMA has implemented a Scheme of Aapda Mitra on pilot basis to train 6000 community volunteers.